Tag Archives: Sunderland

Arsenal have kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea after thumping relegation threatened Sunderland 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Gunners took the lead after just five minute through Olivier Giroud before the France International, who sat out of the 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening, doubled the host’s advantage just after the half-hour mark.

Arsenal will be looking for an immediate response to their midweek Champions League disappointment against Bayern Munich as they take on Sunderland, searching for three points that will keep them firmly in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners will remain without Aaron Ramsey and Thomas Vermaelen, with both expected to return to first team action next month. Loan signing Kim Kallstrom is still side-lined, Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby are long term absentees and Kieran Gibbs is doubtful after limping out of the action on Wednesday evening.

Arsenal missed the chance to return to the top of the Premier League after being held by champions Manchester United at the Emirates yesterday evening.

The hosts had the majority of the possession and the chances in a largely disappointing encounter, with Olivier Giroud coming closest to making the breakthrough while Santi Cazorla drew two fine saves out of United keeper David De Gea late on.

Arsene Wenger has been given a boost ahead of this evening’s Champions League group opener in Marsielle after top scorer Olivier Giroud and record signing Mesut Ozil were both passed fit.

The pair, who linked up for the Gunners first goal in the 3-1 victory over Sunderland on Saturday have recovered from injury and illness respectively, while defender Per Mertesacker is available having missed the trip to the Stadium of Light.

The former Gunners captain,, who was himself linked with a return to the Premier League from Barcelona this summer, believes that Ozil will flourish at the Emirates following his £42.4m deadline day switch.